New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1887-07-23
THE OLDEST MAN ON EARTH

LAREDO. Ter letter 20 the ST. Louie Otooe Derfocrdc
James James. u negro, and citizen of the United
States who resides at Santa Rosa. Mexico, Is prob
ably the oldest man on earth. lie was born near
Dorchester >. C.. in 1852, and while an infant was
removed to Midway River, Ga. in the same year that
Franklin brought down electricity from the thunder
clouds. In 1872 there was quite an immigration into
South Carolina. aud his mater, James James from
whom he takes his name moved n ar Charleston,
\ c. In company with aumber ot his neighbors. On
June 4, 1910 when twenty tour years OF age, large
Briti-h feet, under Sir Peter Parker, arrived OF
Charlie ,ton The citizens had erected pa mett0 wood
fort on Suvan's Island, with twenty-six guns,
manned bv 800 troops. under Colonel Moultrie, and
on Junt % the British made AN attack by land and
water, and were compelled to withdraw after q len
hours conflict. II during this tight that Sergeant
Jasper distinguished himself by replacing the nag,
whcn had been shot away upon the baston, ON o new
stafi. His master, James James. manned one OF tho
guns in this gnt. and JIM the subject OF this SKETCH
and four other slaves employed around the tort
as general abOrers. Jim followed bis master through
out the war, ana was with General houitrie at Port
ROYAL s. c. February 3, i770 when M0ultrie de-
feated the combined British forces OF Provost and
Campbell. His master Was surrendered by General
Lincoln at Chsrleston, e., on February IL, 1851,
to the British forces, ana this ends Jm's military
career .oo
the country in OF Washingtons election
TO the Presidency. he then being forty years OF age
In this year his first master died, age about sixty
years. Jim then became property OF the Msrse
Genryn IIIenry Jam-s owning large estates and
about thirty slave, near Charleston On account OF
having raised Marse Henri, Jim was special
fayOrlto with MS master uuu was " 40 10
chose. His second master. Henry, died in 1915,
about lift, five years OF age and jim, now sixty
three years of age. became the property OF james
James Henry's second In 1888 the railroad
iron, Charleston to Savannah completed then tho
longest railroad IN the world. aud Jim, with his
master took trip over the road and was sho"n
special iavors account OF his age, now eightyone
James James ten years OF age at his fathers
death, and when he became OF age Inherited large
estates, slaves, eta.. among whom were old Uncle
Jim and his family. James James lived in South
Carolina until 1855 when he moved to Texas with all
his slaves James desired that his slaves should DO
Tree ut his DEATH and in s5S moved into Mexico. so
that they could be free before his death James re-
turned to the United States and died IN Texas and In
1865 after there were no longer slaves In the Unied
States, Uncle Jims children aud grandchildren re-
turned to the United States Five years ago. at the
age of 80 Jim could do light chores. but subsisted
mostly hy contributions from the citizens but for the
past two years. not being able to walk, be remains
for the most part In his little jacal. his wants being
supplied by generous neghbors. The rheumatism In
his legs prevents him from walking but yet he has
sufficient strength in his to drag himself short
distance-ffty yards more and readily took
position on the outside of his cabin to enable The
Globe Democrat" correspondent to make his photo
hraph.